 More about the AreaAnother beautiful day in downtown Athens, Georgia. |
 Did you know?Our Lifestyle: Recreation & Sports Athletes and spectators flock to Athens with great expectations and much sports team paraphernalia...so get fired up to see and participate in a variety fast-paced, thrilling team competitions here. Competitive Events - Because of its reputation for hosting competitive sports, Athens attracts many amateur and professional tournaments including football, soccer, basketball, softball,swimming, golf, road races, an international bike race, professional go-kart racers, professional rodeo, the NCAA Tennis Championship, and the greatest international event of all, the 1996 Olympics. Athens was selected as the venue for Olympic soccer, volleyball, and rhythmic gymnastics. Within an hour drive, spectators can enjoy professional athletics in Atlanta, home of Atlanta Falcons Football, Hawks Basketball, Atlanta Thrashers Ice Hockey and the 1995 Baseball World Champions, the Atlanta Braves. UGA Athletics - The University of Georgia boasts numerous varsity athletic programs that are often nationally ranked. Sporting events abound in "Bulldawg Country." No, this is not a typographical error. It is the southern reference to our area and the UGA bulldog mascot which permeates much of life here. Even if you have not gotten the "Bulldawg Bite" yet, you will from one of the many spectator sporting events on campus including the "Junkyard Dogs" football team which play between the legendary hedges, the fast paced basketball action of our Men and Lady Dogs team, the "Diamond Dogs" baseball team, the "Swim Dog" swim team or one of the many other athletic events such as gymnastics, track, volleyball, fast-pitch softball, swimming and diving or soccer. UGA athletes, students and faculty enjoy a phenomenal athletic facility located on campus, The Ramsey Center. Recreational Sports/Youth Athletics - An energetic Athens-Clarke County Recreational Parks Department organizes numerous recreational sporting events for all ages with many activities. The YMCA and YWCO coordinate recreation for all ages including little league T-Ball, soccer, and flag football. Golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, archery, bowling, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, ultimate frisbee, mountain climbing, skydiving, water skiing, horseback riding, biking, karate and Tae Kwon Do also abound here. Parks & Lakes - Numerous sites are in proximity to enjoy such as: Sandy Creek Park & Nature Center, the Intramural Athletic Fields & Lake Herrick, Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Bear Hollow Wild Life Trail, Memorial Park, Bishop Park, Fort Yargo State Park, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Dudley Park and Ben Burton Park just to name a few. Arts & Music The area has a unique cultural mix offering a variety of attractions and events throughout the year. Music - Athens is renowned for its avant-garde music by talented musicians. Sound waves here stretch several octaves and ring out in every genre. Whatever your taste, the right atmosphere can be found here. Symphony orchestra, Choral societies, Jazz bands, Barbershop chorus, Rock and Alternative music all make their presence heard. Think Athens, and nationally acclaimed groups and artists such as R.E.M., The B-52's, Kenny Rogers, Widespread Panic and John Berry will come to mind. Other acclaimed talents like Graham Brown, Randall Bramlett, David Causey of Sea Level, and Johnny Mars have also called Athens home. In addition, the University of Georgia Music and Art Departments share their talent with the community. The University proudly displays distinguished visual art in the new Georgia Museum of Art on campus. Theater & Dance - Whether you desire to show off your talent or sit back and enjoy others, you'll find a host of productions here. Clarke County now offers performing arts at the Classic Center complex. The Town & Gown Theater, Athens Creative Theater and Morton Theater will delight you,as will the University Dance Department, Cloggers and Square Dancers. You will also find ample opportunities to enjoy ballroom, ballet, tap and jazz. The University of Georgia recently opened the new Georgia Museum of Art and Performing and Visual Arts Complex. Libraries - The Clarke County public library offers a wealth of knowledge to the community. The UGA libraries have outstanding resources available. With more than three million volumes UGA libraries ranked among the top third of the nation's best research. Festivals/ Events Regardless of the time of year, you are sure to find a festival or gathering of some kind to celebrate. Celebrations - As the saying in Athens goes, "To Every Season, A Reason To Celebrate," and you'll find a host of events in Athens and the surrounding area including First Night Athens, International Festival, Athens Historic Tour of Homes, Athens Jazz Festival, Blue Sky Concerts, Twilight Criterium, Athens Arts Festival, Winterville Marigold Festival, Star Spangled Classic, North Georgia Folk Festival, Indian Powwow and Rendezvous, Golden Ginkgo jamboree, Watkinsville Fall Festival, State Botanical Garden Fall Festival, and Christmas in Athens: A Season of Lights. The "Classic Center" is the site for many special events and social gatherings. Shopping Without a doubt, Athens is a shopper's mecca. Whatever your tastes, stop and shop here - A large colony of artists make Athens home. Pottery ceramics, leather, paintings, drawings, hand blown glass, and sculptures are found in a sundry of stores. The regional Georgia Square Mall, neighborhood shopping areas, antiques, specialty stores and a nearby outlet mall will help satisfy your purchasing needs and whims. Of course, Atlanta is nearby for quick shopping sprees as well! Attractions Attractions abound so bring lots film for your camera and your appetite when you come to visit our sites. Must See's - Church-Waddel-Brumby House, our official Welcome Center, The Tree that Owns Itself, the Double Barrel Cannon, the Taylor-Grady House, Eagle Tavern, The Arch downtown, the Official State Museum of Art, the Founders Memorial Gardens, the Navy Supply Corp Military Museum, Butts-Mehre Heritage Museum, Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, Old North Campus, Elder Mill Covered Bridge, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, and other antebellum mansions on the Heritage Trail. Food to Fitness - Local cuisine is an attraction in itself. Whatever you crave, you'll find a menu that satisfies. Rest assured, there are numerous ways to exercise off your indulgences especially if you enjoy health clubs, gyms, and biking. The University boasts a state-of-the-art athletic facility, the Ramsey Student Activity Center and Gabrielson Natorium. You will want to bring your walking shoes to hit the five miles of nature and hiking trials and 300 acres of rare and unusual plants at the State Botanical Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory Complex with its "gleaming habitat for tropical and subtropical plants with flowing stream and wishing pond" or enjoy the Greenway nature trails which meander through Clarke County. We hope you'll wish for Athens to be the new place you call home! Athens, GA Rated as one of the "50 Best Towns in America." Described as "A Modern Town with Charm and Grace." The Best Towns in America |
